Emily A. Landers, Deputy Director
Correspondence/Constituent Affairs
State of Alabama, Governor’s Office
334-242-7911 (office) 334-353-0004 (Fax)
e-mail:elanders@governor.state.al.us Dear Ms. Landers: Another atrocity needs your attention. Alabama citizen, Patrick Swiney is being abused by prison authorities again and we need your intervention for two simple things: (1) his medication returned to him and (2) adequate sleeping arrangements provided for him. Here are the details in brief: 1. On 11/30/01 Patrick Swiney AIS 154406, was transferred from Holman Prison, by order of warden Charles Jones, to Kilby Prison. Reason for the transfer is unknown. Warden Jone's previous actions toward Patrick over the years have been abusive and torturous - continuously. This is well documented and much of this documentation is already in the files of the governor's office. 2. Upon arrival at Kilby Prison, Patrick's medication was taken away by NapaCare, Inc. nurses and they stated they would not return it. Prison Medical records show that Patrick has suffered 3 heart attacks since he's been in prison, he suffers from emphasemya and the chronic pain of advanced inflammatory spinal arthritis. So NapaCare, Inc. is fully aware of the medical care needed and by this action of neglect has shown evil and knowing indifference toward Patrick's medical needs. 3. Prison officials have already acknowledged Patrick's medical condition. 4. At the Kilby facility, Patrick was placed in a 5' x 8' concrete lockdown cell. The mattress they gave him was filled with lumps so badly that it was not usable, forcing Patrick to sleep on a plain cold steel bed frame, for trying to sleep on this mattress was like sleeping on rocks. 5. Our investigative team, Patrick's family and myself have diligently tried to contact prison officials to alert them of Patrick's medical needs and the need for decent sleeping arrangements. We are being given the run-around and being ignored. We are being lied to by prison personnel. One nurse told me that she personally handed Patrick his medication on the night he arrived at Kilby. Another nurse said she could not tell me anything because this was privileged information. The assistant warden at Kilby told me he didn't know who Patrick Swiney was and transferred me back to the nusing station. That nurse told me all Patrick had to do was go to pill call in population. Patrick is in lockup, not in population! 6. Prison records show that Patrick was attacked by inmates at Donaldson and at St. Clair because he was a police officer before he was framed, convicted and arrested for a crime he did not commit. DOC procedures forbid the placement of an inmate into harm's way. Yet, Patrick has received word that he will be transferred to Donaldson. Members of our investigative team have been told that Patrick will be kept safe at Donaldson. We already know they've lied to us about the medication. What is to say they are telling us the truth now? I am requesting that you look into this situation for us. Please demand of Kilby officials that Patrick (1) receive his medication back, (2) that he receives a decent mattress on which to sleep, and (3) that he is kept out of harm's way at Donaldson when he is transferred there from Kilby. Patrick is 57 years old. In terms of prisoners, he is an "old" man with serious medical needs. We've been told they have an old folks dorm at Donaldson where he would probably be safe and well cared for. I look foward to hearing from you soon. Time is of the essence. Sincerely, Sherry Swiney (wife)P.O. Box 1891Alabaster, AL 35007Tel: 205-621-7699 (after 6 PM)email: taoss@worldnet.att.net
